Pogo pony



Feb. 26, 1963 'r. w. ROGERS POGO PONY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1961 Feb. 26, 1963 1-. w. ROGERS 3,079,161

POGO PONY Filed June 26, 1961 2 SheetsSheet 2 United States Patent 3,079,161 PGGO PGNY Thomas William Rogers, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (884 Bairdmore Crescent, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada) Filed June 26, 1961, Sler. No. 133,065 11 Claims. (Ci. 280-1191) The invention relates to a pogo pony particularly a type of toy that may be used by children, adults and specially trained animals for transportation, racing, junior polo, follow-the-leader, reducing, exercising and other activities.

-At present there are one wheel cycles adapted to be propelled by pedals or pawl and ratchet gear. These one wheel cycles are also adjustable upwards or downwards according to the desires of the rider or performer. Also at present there are many types of pogo sticks, some of which have springs between the foot platform and the main stick for aiding and easing the effort of the operator.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a pogo pony that is durable in construction, economical to manufacture and is reliable in operation.

Another object is to provide a pogo pony that is provided with better driving means and has a more positive braking apparatus.

Another object is to balanced construction device.

Another object is to provide a pogo pony in which no carriage element is required.

Another object is to provide a pogo pony that is provided with mud guards and also an animal simulating body.

The above objects are accomplished by providing a pogo pony consisting of a. shaft mounted on the axle of one or two wheels, sprocketsrnounted on the axle of the wheel and the upper part of the shaft, a drive chain passing over the sprockets, a foot rest mounted to move up and down on the shaft, a pawl mounted on the foot rest for coacting with the drive chain, and springs encircling the shaft and placed between the wheel axle and the foot rest for aiding the up and down movement of the foot rest. A head simulating a pony is mounted on the upper end of the shaft, and a handle is passed through or attached to the upper end of the shaft. An extension is provided for the shaft, also a carrier for articles, and a lock is provided for the sprockets or drive chain.

The invention consists in the novel arrangements, construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and shown in the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of the pogo pony.

FIGURE 2 the pogo pony.

FIGURE 3 the pogo pony. FIGURE 4 is a front view of the pawl struction.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the struction.

FIGURE 6 is a view of the shaft and handle connection of the pogo pony.

FIGURE 7 is a view in perspective of the of the pogo pony showing the chain spreader.

FIGURE 8 is a side view of the brake mechanism and bushings for the pogo pony.

FIGURE 9 shows an end view of the brake mechanism for the pogo pony.

Referring particularly to FIGURES l, 2 and 3 the pogo provide a pogo pony that has well for the efiicient operation of the is another modification in perspective of piece conpawl piece con lower end a a I r 18 another modification in perspective of cable is used pulleys will be substituted for 3,0?9,l61 Patented Feb. 26, 1&53

pony consists of 'a vertical shaft 1 which is made to the desired length and width for the efficient operation of the device by children or adults. The shaft 1 is mounted on the axle 3 of a wheel 2 as shown in FIGURE 1 or between the two wheel-s 2 as shown in FIGURE 2. A transverse foot piece 4 is shown straddling the shaft -1. A flexible force transmitter 5, for example a chain, is shown mounted on an upper sprocket 6 and a lower sprocket 7. The sprockets 6 and 7 are mounted on axles 25 and 3 respectively passing through the shaft 1. A pawl piece 8 is attached to one side of the foot piece 4 to move the chain 5 downward on pressure being applied to the foot piece 4. A brake piece 9 may be connected to the lower end of shaft 1. A chain guide 10 is shown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5 for maintaining the pawl8 and chain 5 in erhcient operative contact. Bears ings'or bushings are shown mounted on the axis 3. A main spring carrier I8 is mounted on the shaft as shown in FIGURES 2 and 8. A main spring 12 and an additional foot piece lifter spring 13 are mounted on the upper side of the spring carrier 18. In FIGURES 2 and 3 a head piece 14 is shown mounted on an extension 15 of the upper end of the shaft 1. A handle 16 is passed through the head piece 14 and the shaft 1 for the riders convenience. A mud guard 17 is shown in FIGURE 2 protecting the rider from the chain 5 and the wheels 2. In FIGURE 3 is shown an enclosing body 19, suitably shaped, fastened to the foot piece 4 or the shaft 1 as desired. A carrier 29 is shown in FIGURE 3 which may be attached either to the body 19 or to the shaft 1. A look 21 is provided and is adapted to be either attached to the chain 5 or the sprockets 6 and 7. A name plate 22 is shown in FIGURE 3 which may be either attached to the body 19 or to the shaft 1 shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3.

The central shaft I can be either square, round or whatever shape is desired in cross section, the most preferable cross section for the'shaft 1 is square as shown in the drawings. The cost of material for the shaft is relatively low, and with a square cross section no special guides are necessary to prevent the foot piece 4, from turning around the shaft 1 as would be if the shaft was round in cross section. The shaft is notched at 32 at its lower end to allow the axle 3 to fit into the shaft l. The axle 3 can turn in the notch 32. The hearings or bushings are placed between the axle 3 and the shaft 1 to allow the axle to turn with the least friction.

The upper sprocket 6 may be a free turning type mounted on the upper axle 25 as shown in FIGURE 1, or may be mounted on the upper axle 25 so that it protrudes through a slot 33 as shown in FIGURE 2. The slot 33 would be made slightly wider than the sprocket 6 and the upper end of the slot 33 is widened as shown in FIGURE 2 to allow the c ain 5 to pass through the slot. The device may be built with one wheel 2 as shown in FIGURE 1 or with more than one wheel 2 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. At least one wheel is fixedly attached to the axle 3 to which the lower sprocket '7 is fixedly attached in order that the device has a traction driving wheel. The type of wheel arrangement which is preferable and which gives balance and stability at minimum cost is that shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The flexible force transmitter 5 is shown in the figures as a chain as it appears to be the preferable type on account of its probable greater durability. If a belt or the upper and lower sprockets 6 and 7. Also the pawl piece 8 shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 will have to be of different type, for example, a mechanism composed of a cylinder open at both ends, tapered smaller at one end, and containing balls, such as used for an adjustable clothes line joiner and tightener.

The distance that the device will move per full downward motion of the pawl piece 8 may be varied by changing the size ratio of the wheel or wheels 2 to the lower sprocket 7. For example, if the wheel size is increased and the sprocket size decreased, then the distance traveled by the device per downward motion of the pawl piece 8 is increased. If it is desired to have the lower sprocket 7 of smaller diameter than the width of the main spring 12 then a chain spreader 23 as shown in FIGURE 7 is used so that the chain is clear of the main spring 12.

The spring carrier 18 is fixedly attached to the shaft 1 as shown in FZGURE 8 and could be made to extend downward onto the axle 3 or bushing 11. As shown in FIGURE 2 the spring carrier 18 supports the weight of the rider, the springs 12 and 13 and the foot piece 4.

The main spring 1?. fits around the shaft 1 and rests on the spring carrier 18. Different springs of different compression strengths may be used to suit the weight of the rider. That is, if the device is purchased to be used by a child of 66 lbs. then the compression strength of the spring may be 75 lbs. and if a person of 275 lbs. is going to use the device a spring of 325 lbs. may be used. The compression strength of the main spring 12 should be greater than the weight of the rider because the rider may want to exert force in addition to his weight for the purpose of bouncing upwards.

The additional light-weight foot piece lifter spring 3.3 is fitted inside the main spring 12 and has opposite coil direction to the main spring 12 so that the springs 12 and 13 do not mesh. The additional spring 13 will rest on the spring carrier .18. Another type of foot piece lifters springs could be light-weight springs suspended from the upper sprocket axle 25 and attached to the foot piece Vertical pieces 26 are attached at each end of the foot piece 4 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. This prevents the feet of the rider from slipping off the ends of the foot piece 4. The foot pi ce 4 may be provided with toe straps 27, as shown in FIGURE 1, which are fastened to the upper ends of the vertical pieces as and pass around both sides of the shaft 1. The toes of the rider are placed between the foot piece a and the straps 27 to aid in lifting the foot piece 4 higher than the main spring 12 would bounce it and also higher than the foot piece lifter spring 13 would move it. The pawl piece '8 is shown in FIG- URES 4 and 5 attached to the foot piece 4 by bolts 28 which as shown also act as guides for the foot piece 4 as it moves up and down the shaft 1. Small tubes may be fitted around these bolts 23 between the two sides of the foot piece 4 for the purpose of providing exactl the right clearance between the shaft 1 and the sides of the foot piece 4.

The pawl piece 3 is shown in FIGURES 2 and 5 of a shape to lit the rollers 29 of the chain flexible force transmitter 5. A hook-shaped part 34 of the pawl 8 engages one of the rollers 29 of the chain 5 at a time, as shown in FIGURE 5. An additional number of hooks 34 could be provided to decrease the load on each hook and roller 29 if this were desirable as for example, if a unit were used primarily by a heavy person to reduce.

The chain guide 19 shown in FIGURES 4 and S presses the chain 5 onto the pawl piece 8 for the desired engagement between the hook 34- and the roller 29. The chain guide will only exert sufiicient force on the chain 5 to press it onto the hook 34 of the pawl piece 3 for the down thrust drive motion of the foot piece 4, but, it will not press so strongly as to hold the chain on the hook 3 while the chain is sliding by the hook 3 5, for example while the device is coating. The chain guide it may have any of several possible shapes from the flat coil spring 35 with one end extended, as shown in FEGURES 4 and 5, to a hinged piece with spring and roller.

The brake piece 9 may be attached to the shaft 1 as shown in FEGURES 8 and 9 by the same method as the spring carrier 18, for example, by welding or bolting. It

is shown fastened by bolts 36 in FIGURE 8. The brake piece 9 and the spring carrier 18 may also be attached together or made in one piece. A slot 41 is provided in the brake piece 9 to permit the sprocket 7 and the chain 5 to pass through. A stopper 24 is attached at the outer end of the brake piece for contacting the surface which the device is operating on when the shaft 1 is tilted backward about ten degrees from the vertical. The stopper 24 is composed of any frictional material such as rubber or other composition.

The mudguard 17 protects the riders person from the splash and also prevents the riders clothing, fingers, or other parts from getting caught between the chain 5 and the upper sprocket 6. The mudguard also improves the appearance of the device. The mudguard 17 is shown in FlGURE 2 with its upper end attached to the axle 25 and its lower end attached to the brake piece 9.

The handle 16 may be attached to the shaft 1 by various desired means. But, the-most preferable is shown in FlGURE 6 where the handle 16 is formed in two parts 37 and 38 having reduced ends 39 and 48 respectively adapted to screw together inside the shaft 1 to hold the handle firmly on the shaft.

An animal-simulating head 14 may be fitted over the upper end of the shaft 1 as shown in FIGURES 2. and 3. The head 14 has holes through which the handle 16 is passed and which are in alignment with the holes provided in the shaft 1 for the handle 16. It will be noted that the handle 16 has shoulders which butt against the shaft 1 to prevent it from sliding out of the said shaft 1.

The extension piece 15 is added to the child size unit when the device is used by a larger rider, and is of the same cross section as the shaft 1. As shown in FIGURE 2 a piece 30 is fitted into the lower end of the extension piece 15 and projects outward a short distance. The outward extending piece of the piece 30 extends downward and is titted into the upper end of the shaft 1. The projecting piece 31% has holes the same size as the handle holes on the shaft 1, and can be attached to the shaft 1 by the bolt 31.

Referring to FiGURE 3 the body 19 can be fitted over the standard model of the device when the mudguard 17 is removed. The body 19 may be attached to the foot piece 4 and has internal guides which fit the shaft 1. The head 14 may be fastened to the upper end of the body 19 by screws. As the foot piece 4 moves up and down, the body 19 will move also unless it is desired to have a body '19 fixed to the shaft 1. if fixed to the shaft 1 there would have to be slots in the side of the body 19 for the foot piece t to move up and down, and it would be necessary to fasten the body 19 to the shaft 1 rather than to the foot piece. The body could be made in various ways. For example, it could be split alongone side if made of slightly flexible material and fitted onto the device like a jacket and the split fastened up. In another example the body 19 may be seamless and slid down over the shaft 1 when the handle 16 and head 14 are first removed. If it is desired to use the extension 15 and a body 19 then a simple body extension may be added.

The carrier 29 may have an adjustable attachment which allows it to fit on any of the models of the device, for example, a suitable belt and buckle arrangement.

The device shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 may be parked upright on the three point bearing of two wheels 2 and the stopper 24. In this position the device will be stable for mounting also. When the device is in motion it will be tipped forward from the parked position, and then the stopper 24 will be raised off the surface. To stop the device it is leaned backward and in this position the stopper 24 will make intense frictional contact with the surface and the device will be brought to rest.

In operation the rider stands on the foot piece 4 and may hold onto the shaft 1 or the handle 16. The device is driven forward by the downward movement of the foot piece 4 to which the pawl piece 8 is attached. The wheel or wheels 2 are turned forward when the foot piece 4 to which the pawl piece 8 is attached moves downward in engagement with the flexible force transmitter 5. When the foot piece 4 on which the rider is mounted reaches the main spring 12, the foot piece 4 may be either cushioned there by the cushioning action of the main spring or with an extra down thrust by the rider, the foot piece 4 may be bounced back upward by the increased re action of the main spring 12. At this raised position of the foot piece 4, the pawl piece 8 again engages with the flexible force transmitter 5 and the system is prepared for another downward thrust with the aid of gravity. The pawl piece 8 engages the flexible force transmitter 5 in one direction only, namely, the pawl piece 8 will engage the flexible force transmitter 5 for the down thrust but, will allow the flexible force transmitter 5 to slide by when the pawl piece 8 is moving in the opposite direction, upward, or when the pawl piece 8 is stationary and the flexible force transmitter is moving as when the device is coasting.

While the invention has been fully described with particular reference to the specific embodiments, it is understood it is not to be limited thereto but, is to be construed broadly and limited only by the scope of the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A pogo pony comprising a shaft, a rotating means mounted on an axle on the lower end of said shaft, a first sprocket mounted on said axle, a second sprocket mounted on and towards the upper end of said shaft, a chain connecting the said two sprockets, a vertically moving foot piece mounted transversely of said shaft, a pawl piece fastened to said foot piece and co-acting with said chain, means governing the up and down movement of said foot piece on said shaft and, a handle connected to the upper part of said shaft.

2. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1, in which said rotating means comprises two wheels mounted on said axle between which the lower sprocket is mounted.

3. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1, in which the means for governing the up and down movement of the 6 foot piece consists of a main spring and a foot piece lifter spring mounted on a spring carrier attached to the shaft near its lower end.

4. A pogo pony as defined in claim 3 in which the said foot piece 5. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1 in which said foot piece is provided with vertical projections on its outer ends to prevent the feet slipping off and a toe strap is mounted on the upper ends of said projections, and the said pawl piece which is fastened to the foot piece is formed with a hook for engaging the chain.

6. A pogo pony as defined in claim 5 in which the chain is provided with a chain guide for exerting sufiicient pressure on the chain to press the chain into engagement with the hook of the said pawl piece.

7. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1 in which the handle consists of two parts having their inner ends reduced in diameter which ends are screwed together inside the shaft to form a tight connection.

8. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1, including a brake means consisting of a first member fastened to the lower end of the shaft at an angle downward to the shaft having a stopper member made of frictional material fixed transversely to the lower end of said first member.

9. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1 including animal simulating means comprising a head piece fastened over the upper end of said shaft and provided with apertures for the handle which coincide with the handle apertures in the shaft.

1 0. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1, in which the shaft is provided with a slot in which the upper sprocket is mounted.

11. A pogo pony as defined in claim 1 in which the shaft is hollow at its upper end to receive an extension piece for adult riders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS =2,73'2,221 Welch Ian. 24, 1956 2,971,773 McKissick Feb. 14, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 392,086 Germany Mar. 15, 1924 lifter spring is mounted within the main spring. 

1. A POGO PONY COMPRISING A SHAFT, A ROTATING MEANS MOUNTED ON AN AXLE ON THE LOWER END OF SAID SHAFT, A FIRST SPROCKET MOUNTED ON SAID AXLE, A SECOND SPROCKET MOUNTED ON AND TOWARDS THE UPPER END OF SAID SHAFT, A CHAIN CONNECTING THE SAID TWO SPROCKETS, A VERTICALLY MOVING FOOT PIECE MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID SHAFT, A PAWL PIECE FASTENED TO SAID FOOT PIECE AND CO-ACTING WITH SAID CHAIN, MEANS GOVERNING THE UP AND DOWN MOVEMENT 